I'm going to Boston! (Updated POST 86--Extreme was GREAT!)

[debster812]

The original members of the band Extreme--Pat Badger, Nuno Bettencourt, Gary Cherone, and Paul Geary. The last time they played together was Nuno's wedding ten years ago.

Anne

WOW! I was a huge Extreme fan back in the day. How cool that they're playing out. Do you know the name of the venue?

 

[kelleigh1]

The original members of the band Extreme--Pat Badger, Nuno Bettencourt, Gary Cherone, and Paul Geary. The last time they played together was Nuno's wedding ten years ago.

Anne

I met them once! Back in 1988-89, I was working at Strawberries - at the corporate warehouse. Occasionally different bands or artists would come in to sign autographs for the employees and Extreme came in a few months after I started working there. That was my first full-time job and not a bad "benefit".

 

[phorsenuf]

I have to ask...where are you getting the "chowda"?

 

[ducklite]

WOW! I was a huge Extreme fan back in the day. How cool that they're playing out. Do you know the name of the venue?

Bank of America Pavillion right on the harbor. I worked for them for a few years. I'm still in touch with all of them and their extended families.

Good people!

Anne

 

[ducklite]

I have to ask...where are you getting the "chowda"?

Legal Seafood. We really like the food.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

We just got back last weekend. We stayed at the Boston Harbour Hotel.

I've stayed there and it is beautiful--but we've got over 100,000 Hilton Honors points and figure this might be a good time to use them.

Anne

 

[debster812]

Bank of America Pavillion right on the harbor. I worked for them for a few years. I'm still in touch with all of them and their extended families.

Good people!

Anne

Anne--I'm not sure if you've ever been to the BOA Pavillion, but it's a FABULOUS place to see a show. Probably my all time favorite. I work for a company with access to tickets to many of the venues around Boston, and BOA is my fave, and has been since it was called Harborlights.

 

[dg39]

Kelleigh, we did go to Quincy Market, loved it also. My dd is looking for an apt. down there around Joy st./Garden St. and all blocks in between. We did look at some studios, but, OMG, they were sooooo small. AND, they were all on the top floor. Now, we're looking to get her a 2 bd. apt. to share with a friend. If you hear of anything, please let me know.

ONE THING ABOUT BOSTON, I HAVE TO SAY, EVERYONE IS YOUNG. Me and my dh were the oldest people EVERYWHERE we went. I took notice.

To be young again...........

 

[snowwite]

The above are great ideas.Fenway has a free tour.If you are lucky maybe you can get tickets to a game.The aquarium has new IMAX theatre and fun sea lion show.Museum Science has several movies and fun exhibits.You can take a ferry from the pier next to aquarium out to the harbor islands. George's island has an old civil war prison and a beach to explore. We bring a picnic.House of Blues and Fire & Ice in Cambridge are fun restaurants.Both have websites.Harvard's museum of natural history was a big hit w/my son.http://www.gobostoncard.com/ The Go Boston card has discounts that might be helpful.If you get a rental car take a drive about 15-20 mins north and visit Salem MA.There is the House of 7 Gables from hawthorne's books,several witch and pirate museums,Ye olde pepper company the oldest candy store,the East India trade shop,the Friendship replica of a sailing vessel,the visitor center where you can find out about other things or hop on the trolley tour.Get tickets and go see Blue Man Group a unique show.Have a ball!

 

[2Xited4Disney]

Hilarous that a person from Florida is excited to come to Mass.... But I am someone from Mass who gets excited to go to florida...... wierd... I think i just blew my own mind

 

[marlasmom]

I honestly don't think you can find a bad restaurant in the North End. But whatever you do while you are in the North End, go to Mike's Pastry for cannoli and/or a lobster claw (it' a pastry). Newbury Street is fun, but don't forget the original Filene's Basement in downtown Boston with its automatic markdowns. I love the acquarium. I'm glad you are going to Legal Seafoods - one of our favorites. Have a wonderful time and give us a report.

 

[Lynn CC]

Oh, you're going to have so much fun!! We love Boston and since we are not far, we visit often. I highly recommend Giacomo's for dinner. It's in the North End on Hanover Street. Honestly, it's worth the wait. They don't take reservations ( I don't think many places in the North End do) and they open at 5pm. People start lining up about 4:15pm to be in the first seating. It's a small place but boy is it good!!QUOTE]

We ate at Giacomo's 4 times this year already, I agree it is good. The Butternut Tortellini, and Lobster Ravioli.... yummy!

Marco is also on Hanover St. and something a little more reasonable but delicious is Al Dente on Salem St. right next to Hanover St.
There are so many restaurants there you can just wander around and look at the menu's posted on the front of them, so many have great Italian Food.
Enjoy!

 

[kpm76]

We ate at Giacomo's 4 times this year already, I agree it is good. The Butternut Tortellini, and Lobster Ravioli.... yummy!

The only thing I get there is the Butternut Squash Tortellini because it is just to die for DH loves the Lobster Fra Diavalo

 

[liamandcaili]

I haven't been there in five or more years. I got a heads up about a very special concert there on June 30th, and there was no mulling it over, I WAS going to be attending! Lots of my friends will be going, I"m looking forward to seeing people I haven't seen in ten years.

So now I'm trying to figure out flights and hotel rooms, we'll probably stay at the Back Bay Hilton. I'm hoping to fly in on the 29th and spend some time sightseeing on 6/30 and 7/1 before leaving for home on 7/2.

Anyone have any ideas on neat things to do? We've already done the whole Freedom Trail thing... We like offbeat history, offbeat museums (DH is NOT into art museums). I'm sure we'll be having Chowda for dinner one of the nights at our favorite "chain" restaurant. Any other meal ideas? (We've done the Fanieul Hall thing as well as Hard Rock Cafe and aren't interested in those) Prefer a local place, Italian is good...

Anne

There are lots of places we like. If you want to have a fun evening, go to Summer Shack (also in Cambridge at the Alewife T-stop) in the Back Bay, near the Prudential Center and Hynes Convention area. They have a great raw bar, the best fried clams, and terrific daily specials. After dinner, you can bowl at King's.

If you like Italian, the North End is definitely the place to go. My family enjoys Pomodoro...get there early, it's very small!...and DH and I have had some wonderful meals at Euno. Request seating in the cellar. It is much more romantic and quiet.

Other places to eat (in no particular order of preference): Cornwalls in Kenmore Square for fish and chips and lots of beer (they also used to have boardgames to bring to the tables...not sure if they still do this); East Coast Grill in Cambridge (yum!); John Harvard's in Harvard Square; for Indian food Kashmir on Newbury St. or India Quality in Kenmore Square.

 

[ducklite]

You guys have had some great ideas! Keep 'em coming!

Anne

 

[tinksgirl]

hop on a train at north station and go to Rockport,you will have the best day trip in a small seaside village,the train is walking distance to downtown rockport which is full of little shops eaterys beaches parks,for more info go to the rockport chamber of commerce.com.from boston north station to rockport is about 1 hour ride rockport is the last stop on the line so you can't miss your stop.

 

[siouxi31]

Have you thought about checking into the Food Channel for suggestions on restaurants? Rachel Ray did a food tour in the Italian neighborhood of Boston and then went to one of the Italian restaurants too. Apparently there is a lady gives the tours and she takes you to small grocery stores too where you can sample small amounts of the food.

 

[kelleigh1]

Have you thought about checking into the Food Channel for suggestions on restaurants? Rachel Ray did a food tour in the Italian neighborhood of Boston and then went to one of the Italian restaurants too. Apparently there is a lady gives the tours and she takes you to small grocery stores too where you can sample small amounts of the food.

Oh, I need to check that out. My husband and I would love that. He is half Italian and I love Italian food to the point that I should be 100% Italian.

 

[ducklite]

hop on a train at north station and go to Rockport,you will have the best day trip in a small seaside village,the train is walking distance to downtown rockport which is full of little shops eaterys beaches parks,for more info go to the rockport chamber of commerce.com.from boston north station to rockport is about 1 hour ride rockport is the last stop on the line so you can't miss your stop.

Thanks for the idea, but with really only a day and a half, I think we want to stay right in Boston--maybe head over to Cambridge but that's as far as we want to venture. Maybe next time!

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Have you thought about checking into the Food Channel for suggestions on restaurants? Rachel Ray did a food tour in the Italian neighborhood of Boston and then went to one of the Italian restaurants too. Apparently there is a lady gives the tours and she takes you to small grocery stores too where you can sample small amounts of the food.

LOL! I don't even know what channel TFC is on! If anyone knows how to contact that lady, please pass it on--that sounds like EXACTLY the type of thing DH would LOVE.

Anne